North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Center: Minimal Activity Observed
Commercial satellite imagery of North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center through late July indicates operations have likely continued at the Uranium Enrichment Plant (UEP), while normal vehicular movements and dredging of the Kuryong River continues near the reactors.
Uranium Enrichment Complex
The white tanker trailer that was last observed near the far west end of the Uranium Enrichment Plant on March 27 was not present on either of the two more recent images, but the time gaps between imagery acquisitions preclude definitive conclusions on the frequency of arrivals and departures. A small light-toned object or vehicle was present inside the courtyard of the UEP until July 20, and while the purpose is unknown, it provides evidence of ongoing activity at the UEP.
Figure 1. Movement of possible tanker trailer observed from March-July around the Uranium Enrichment Complex.
Other Facilities
There are no visible operational indicators at the 5 MWe Reactor, the Experimental Light Water Reactor (ELWR), or the Radiochemical Laboratory, but normal vehicle movements have been observed behind the 5 MWe Reactor building, near the construction support yard of the ELWR, and in the Radiochemical Laboratory motor pool area. Some small objects/materials are observed in the receiving area of the Radiochemical Laboratory, but there were no stack emissions from the thermal plant or venting from the cooling tower.
Figure 2. Minimal activity and vehicle movement observed March-June around the 5 MWe Reactor building and ELWR.
Dredging of the Kuryong River, which has been underway for more than a year, continues around the reactor areas and will presumably provide improved flow to the reactor cooling systems when complete.
At the Radioisotope Production Facility, there has been a slight movement of materials at the nearby buildings. The elevated conduit/power line is still in place, the purpose of which is unknown.